The Force India Formula One Team's long-standing Director of Business Affairs, Ian Phillips, is leaving the Silverstone-based team after 19 years with the outfit.

In his tenure for the team, starting with Jordan Grand Prix, Ian has been responsible for sponsorship acquisition and activation, commercial direction and ongoing negotiations with the FIA and commercial rights' holder, FOM, and the signing of over 50 drivers.

He has a long and rich heritage in motorsport and has been with the team from its Jordan days when in 1990 he moved to the new 7-Up Jordan team as commercial manager, beginning a lifelong friendship with Eddie Jordan.

He has been with the team ever since working on the commercial side with major deals including 7-Up, Sasol, Benson & Hedges, Deutsche Post World Net and hundreds of smaller ones and the now Force India team would like to wish Ian every success in his future endeavours.